Insecurity in Nigeria, a national embarrassment – Governors

[MrVan]

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA—THE 36 state governors, under the aegis of Nigeria Governors' Forum, NGF, yesterday described the insecurity situation in the country as a national embarrassment and condemnable.

Rising from a meeting at the Rivers State Governor's Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, yesterday, the governors noted that as part of moves to address the lingering security challenges, an enabling environment will be created for economic development as well as channel more resources towards the empowerment of the citizenry, especially the youths, women and the vulnerable.

Reading the communiqué at the end of the meeting, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Chairman of the forum,pleaded with Nigerians for understan-ding with government's efforts at addressing the insecurity situation.

He disclosed that the governors will, next month, organise a security summit where there will be a brainstorming session on the issue with a bid to nipping it in the bud.

The governors could not discuss the proposed removal of the immunity clause from the constitution following an observation by the Forum Chairman that such sensitive and constitutional matter must be raised and brainstormed on when at least 30 of the 36 governors were present.

... as FG takes immigrants' biometric data

By Victoria Ojeme

ABUJA—As part of measures to tighten internal security, Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, yesterday, disclosed plans to capture biometric data of every immigrant at point of entry into Nigeria.

Speaking when he received the Senate Committee on Interior at the Ministry's headquar-ters in Abuja, the Minister also urged speedy passage of the Prisons Act, which will assist government in its efforts to decongest prisons.

On the rising tide of insecurity, Moro disclosed that biometric machines had been ordered to enhance the collation of biometric data of anyone coming into the country and going out.

He stated further that plans had reached advanced stage to establish 84 plazas with state-of-the-art equipment at the 84 regular routes into the country.

Vanguard Nigeria